A FORMER Accrington Stanley captain and manager has died.

Harold Bodle played for the Reds between 1953 and 1957 and managed the side from June 1959 to April 1960.

He was born in Doncaster and starred for Rovers during the Second World War. He bagged 27 goals as a guest for Rovers, while on the books of Birmingham City.

He also played for Rotherham, Bury and Stockport before starring with Stanley.

Mr Bodle, an old fashioned inside forward or wing-half, scored three goals in his first two games for Stanley.

He is well-remembered as a popular captain with an inspiring personality and an astute tactician.

He had two seasons with the Reds before injury and ill-health forced him to end his playing career age 37.

He was appointed Stanley manager in June 1959, having previously missed out to George Eastham.

It didn't work for him with the team already heading for the Fourth Division and with attendances averaging around 2000.

He left in April 1960 and went on to manage Burton Albion.

In later years, he ran a shop and then a post office before retiring to the south coast.

Mr Bodle, a former miner, died on New Year's Day at his home in Bournemouth at the age of 84.